Cristiano Ronaldo turned in an all-time earnings year with $275 million, placing him above ten (10) superstars who collectively raked in $1.4 billion.
For the third year consecutively, and the fifth time overall, Saudi Professional League club, Al Nassr, forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, is the world’s highest-paid athlete.
At forty (40), the Portuguese sharpshooter is recording new highs. In the last twelve (12) months, encompassing his playing salary at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr and his off-field business ventures, Ronaldo accumulated an estimated $275 million before taxes and agent fees.
Coming to the all-time list, Ronaldo is exceeded only by American former professional boxer and boxing promoter, Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million in 2015 and $285 million in 2018.
On the 2025 notice board, the Uefa Nations League 2024/25 winner, has a $119 million advantage ahead of No. 2, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.
When combined, the ten (10) highest-paid athletes made a whopping $1.4 billion, up a little from last year’s $1.38 billion.
World’s ten (10) highest-paid athletes 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo ($275 million)
Soccer | 40 years | Portugal | On-Field: $225 million | Off-Field: $50 million
Stephen Curry ($156 million)
Basketball | 37 years | United States (US) | On-Field: $56 million | Off-Field: $100 million
Tyson Fury ($146 million)
Boxing | 36years | UnitedKingdom (UK) | On-Field: $140 million | Off-Field: $6 million
Dak Prescott ($137 million)
American Football | 31 years | United States (US) | On-Field: $127 million | Off-Field: $10 million
Lionel Messi ($135 million)
Soccer | 37 years | Argentina | On-Field: $60 million | Off-Field: $75 million
Lebron James ($133.8 million)
Basketball | 40 years | United States (US) | On-Field: $48.8 million | Off-Field: $85 million
Juan Soto ($114 million)
Baseball | 26 years | Dominican Republic | On-Field: $109 million | Off-Field: $5 million
Karim Benzema ($104 million)
Soccer | 37 years | France | On-Field: $100 million | Off-Field: $4 million
Shohei Ohtani ($102.5 million)
Baseball | 30 years | Japan | On-Field: $2.5 million | Off-Field: $100 million
Kevin Durant ($101.4 million)
Basketball | 36 years | UnitedStates (US) | On-Field: $51.4 million | Off-Field: $50 million